Valley Gardens 3 improvements entering final months

As phase 3 of the Valley Gardens project enters its final months, we’re beginning to see how it will transform this key part of the city.

With new public spaces, safer junctions and dedicated cycle lanes taking shape, we’re now preparing to see the project completed in the summer.

Over the past few months, work has been carried out on the new public space between the Royal Pavilion and the War Memorial. We’ve installed new bus shelters, and work is due to start soon on the new paths and green space inside Steine Gardens.

Picture: The new pavement and cycle lane near the Royal Albion Hotel

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “Phase 3 of Valley Gardens is really beginning to take shape. The new pavements and public space are a huge improvement on the previous layout, giving everyone more room to move around and travel through.

“We’ll be seeing new paths and grass being laid in Steine Gardens, while new trees have been planted near the Royal Pavilion and War Memorial.”

Picture: New public space taking shape between the Royal Pavilion and the War Memorial

Aquarium junction changes

Since the start of the year, work has been taking place on the Aquarium junction. The old roundabout and traffic islands have been removed and are being replaced with a new traffic light-controlled junction, safer crossing points and a lot more space for pedestrians.

On 13 April after the Easter holidays, we’ll begin to build the new traffic islands. This will require temporary traffic lights for 4 to 5 weeks while the new junction lights are installed.

The Marine Parade crossing will remain closed during this work.

We’ll also be carrying out overnight resurfacing of the area for two weeks from 19 April. The junction will be closed between 8pm and 6am with diversions in place, including for buses.

The entrance to Madeira Drive will also be closed overnight but only to vehicles, and will remain open for pedestrians or cyclists; however, businesses will still have access from Duke’s Mound.

Picture: The new pavement and crossing points being installed near the Aquarium Junction

Councillor Muten continued: “The new junction is going to make traffic flow easier and crossing from Steine Gardens to the seafront much safer.

“We’ve deliberately planned this part of the work to avoid the Easter holidays and peak tourist season and will be carrying out the resurfacing overnight when traffic counts are much lower.

“I appreciate this part of the project is going to be disruptive and I thank everyone for their patience. We’re entering the final stages of the Valley Gardens project which is renewing and reinvigorating a key part of the city centre. In the summer, we’ll have a new and improved space the city can be hugely proud of.”